A scumbag husband fakes his death to escape his marriage? I'll burn down his funeral hall and s

Chapter 167 Does this count as stealing someone else's love?

Chu Ruohan lowered her head. Lin Jingchuan arrived just in time, choosing the perfect moment to help her out of a predicament. He hadn't even thought about that group of shadow guards yet!

Princess Huijia waved her hand gently, "Alright, alright, don't stay here, go out and play."

"This only happens once a year, so don't be shy."

The crowd felt as if they had been granted a pardon and dispersed.

Although Shen Qingwan was unwilling, she could only stomp her feet and reluctantly follow the crowd toward the bustling ice surface.

Gu Junze was pushed by Chu Ruohan to walk out, and asked in a low voice, "Han'er, were you frightened?"

Chu Ruohan gently shook her head, "It's nothing."

"She's just spoiled and too willful. Her aunt came back to Beijing this time to find her a suitable match."

Gu Junze was afraid that Chu Ruohan would misunderstand, so he hurriedly explained.

Chu Ruohan naturally realized that Shen Qingwan's targeting was because of Gu Junze; her own man was quite charming.

Doesn't this count as stealing someone else's love?

Princess Huijia stood up, walked to Lin Jingchuan's side, and said softly, "Jingchuan, thank you for helping me out today. Qingwan is spoiled and becoming more and more willful."

Lin Jingchuan smiled modestly: "Your Highness is too kind. It was just a small favor."

After saying that, his gaze inadvertently swept over Chu Ruohan's back, as if he were deep in thought.

At this time, the people on the ice had formed their own teams and started ice skating games.

On the other side, in the long corridor of the Yongwang Mansion, Lin Xingyao walked hurriedly.

The maid Xiao Cui followed behind, panting, calling out repeatedly, "Princess, slow down..."

But Lin Xingyao couldn't slow down. Her mother's words were still echoing in her ears, like heavy hammer blows striking her heart.

“Jingchuan is getting on in years, and our royal family doesn’t need to form marriage alliances with aristocratic families. If he has someone he likes, we can just send someone to propose marriage…”

Lin Xingyao knew in her heart that although she held the title of princess, she was not her mother's biological daughter.

This secret hidden deep in her heart is like an insurmountable chasm, standing between her and Lin Jingchuan.

Even if the truth comes out, her brother will always only see her as his sister, and this feeling is destined to remain buried deep in his heart.

She had told herself countless times that as long as Lin Jingchuan was doing well, she would be willing to stay by his side as his younger sister for the rest of her life.

I'll watch from a distance and never disturb them.

But when she heard that Lin Jingchuan had gone to meet her, her heart still panicked uncontrollably.

"Greetings, Princess." The guards at the entrance of the Prince's residence bowed respectfully, interrupting her thoughts.

Lin Xingyao pulled her foot back after taking a step.

Ever since her affair with Wei Qiming became widely known, she has become the talk of the town among the noble ladies of the capital.

Those disdainful looks were like sharp blades, piercing her heart and making her afraid to go out again.

But the thought that Lin Jingchuan might meet a woman he likes at the matchmaking event stirred a strong impulse within her.

No, she had to go and see, even if it was just hiding in the carriage, she had to keep an eye on her brother.

He must never let those women with impure motives deceive him.

"Prepare the carriage." Lin Xingyao gritted her teeth and made up her mind.

Soon, the carriage was ready at the entrance of the Prince's Mansion. Lin Xingyao carefully climbed into the carriage, lowered the curtains, and was afraid of being recognized.

The carriage moved slowly forward, its wheels rolling on the stone road with a dull thud, as if questioning her anxious heart.

However, the carriage had not gone far when it was blocked by someone.

Lin Xingyao was startled and instinctively gripped the handkerchief in her hand. A middle-aged woman dressed in fine clothes walked forward.

"Princess, the Duchess requests your presence."

The people outside seemed determined not to let the carriage move until she got off.

Lin Xingyao hesitated for a moment, but finally lowered the carriage window, revealing a cool and aloof face: "What brings you to stop my carriage?"

"Princess, there are some things that are not convenient to say here."

Granny Deng stared intently at her, her gaze carrying a hint of politeness yet subtly revealing an unyielding strength that brooked no refusal.

A sense of foreboding welled up in Lin Xingyao's heart, but she also knew that she probably couldn't escape it today.

She took a deep breath, instructed her maid to wait where she was, then got up and got off the carriage, followed by another luxuriously decorated carriage.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Lady Wei, the Duchess of Wei, sat upright to one side, her eyes fixed on Lin Xingyao. After a long while, she finally spoke: "Princess, let's be frank. You know why I've come to see you today."

Lin Xingyao's heart tightened, but she pretended to be calm: "Lady Wei, please speak frankly."

"Princess, don't pretend you don't know."

The Duchess of Wei curled her lips into a cold smile, leaned forward slightly, and her gaze was as sharp as a knife.

“The Prince Yong and his wife cherish you like the apple of their eye, but what’s with your status as a princess? You’re not the Prince Yong’s biological daughter at all; you’re just an imposter.”

She found out; that bastard Wei Qiming.

Lin Xingyao's heart sank, and her fingertips unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt, but she still maintained her composure. "Madam, do not speak nonsense. Such slander against the royal bloodline is a serious crime."

"Slander?" The Duchess of Wei scoffed. "Do you think I would dare say such a thing to you if I weren't absolutely certain? Once I present the evidence in court, do you think the Prince of Yong's mansion would still protect you?"

"At that time, not only will you be disgraced, but you will also implicate the entire Prince Yong's Mansion."

She won't have any evidence.

The real princess is dead.

Lady Wei leaned back in her chair, her eyes full of smugness. "As long as you behave and marry into the Wei family, this evidence will never see the light of day."

"There is no way I could marry Wei Qiming."

She would have married long ago if she wanted to; why did she have to marry Gu Cheng'an?

When Lady Wei heard Lin Xingyao's refusal, the smug look on her face did not fade; instead, her smile became even more meaningful.

“Princess, it’s fine if you don’t want to marry. The child in your belly is of the Wei family’s bloodline. We will send the child over after it is born.”

Lin Xingyao then realized that threatening her to marry Wei Qiming was just a pretext; they actually wanted her child.

What a cunning old man.

Lin Xingyao used to hate this child, but as the child grew in her womb day by day, she was not heartless.

Her reputation was ruined by Wei Qiming, and she only had this one child in her life.

“This child is mine while it’s in my belly, and you can’t take it away.”

"Do you think you can protect him? My Wei family cannot be without an heir. I am determined to have this child."

Lin Xingyao bit her lower lip tightly, thinking that if all else failed, they would fight to the death.

They insisted that she was the daughter of their father and mother.

Do you really think you can hide your feelings for your brother?

Lin Xingyao stepped off the carriage, the winter sun shining on her, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in her heart...

"You may not care, but you don't want to ruin the young prince's reputation, do you?"

"Such a fine and elegant person has had his reputation ruined..."

A maidservant stepped forward to support her swaying body. "Princess."

"Go back home."